DC United calls time on FloSports streaming deal

Major League Soccer team DC United has called time on its local broadcast deal with subscription-based OTT provider FloSports after less than a season.

The four-year deal, which was signed in January, was worth a reported $12m over the duration of the contract.

The team’s final home game of the season – against FC Cincinnati on Sunday, October 6 – will be made available free to fans on the club’s official website. All playoff games will be broadcast on MLS’s national broadcast partners: ESPN, Fox Sports and Univision.

The deal with the Austin-based start-up FloSports was troubled from the outset, with fans unhappy about paying the costs for the streaming service – between $5.99 and $8.99 per month – as well as the technical problems that marred many games. It is unknown how many fans signed up for the service.

“Announcements on broadcast plans for the 2020 season and beyond will be made in due course,” DC United said in a statement.

FC Cincinnati, DC United’s opponents this weekend, also has a media-rights deal with FloSports.

Notably, MLS team Chicago Fire has a local media rights partnership with ESPN+ – a far higher-quality product – but new owner Joe Mansueto is looking to secure a return to linear television from the 2021 season.

Read this: DC United leverages twin impact of Audi Field and ‘Rooney effect’ into new deals